City of York Council is on target to deliver the actions set out in its housing strategy action plan and strategy for older people's housing by 2009, as expected.

The council has already completed or is on target to complete 60 per cent of the actions and targets set out in its housing strategy action plan and 40 per cent of those in its strategy for older people's housing.

Progress is outlined in a report to the council's Executive Members for Housing and Adult Social Services and Advisory Panel (EMAP) for a meeting on 16 July.

The report reveals that the council is well on its way to implementing the strategies, which were approved in the spring of last year.

Some of the key actions and targets already met include:
- the commissioning of a new housing market assessment to inform future housing and planning policies
- development proposals for the city's Discus bungalows
- refurbishment work on permanent traveller sites
- planning permission for the new Peasholme Centre and Arclight hostel
- the implementation of a revised housing allocation policy, including a reward scheme for tenants.
- a significant increase in the number of cases of homelessness that have been prevented
- an increase in the number of council homes meeting the government's Decent Homes standard

Whilst it is acknowledged that some target completion dates for tasks have not been met, in most cases this has been due to factors beyond the council's control. For example, some actions set out in the strategy are set to be revised to reflect developments that have taken place since, such as changes to government targets and priorities. Where targets have not been met and the actions are still relevant, revised completion dates have been set.

These revisions and the significant progress made so far means that the council is still on target to achieve the actions set out in both strategies by 2009.